I had to find some sort of antidote to the worst West Ham performance in a long time before I started writing this morning.
When you wake up feeling totally and completely gutted on a Sunday morning something has to be done so for the first time in a long long time I sat down and watched TV.
Not just any old TV but the film Iron Men again to recall how it was last season and should be this time around.
Among the final scenes are shots of grown men sitting inside the almost deserted Boleyn staring vacantly into the distance with tears in their eyes.
A voice shouts: “The ground will be closing at 11 o clock” as the camera focuses on a guy in his forties looking around with a bemused look on his face standing, not sure, seemingly, where to go or what to do.
There’s no drama – he just slowly turns with and slowly makes his way down the steps of the ‘old lady’ with a look of of unfathomable sadness on his face.
I don’t do a lot of tele watching but just as was the case first time around I sat and watched this great great movie without moving a muscle apart from those around my own eyes – yeah tears!
It’s got the lot and shows that Ray Winstone is far more than just a celebrity fan. Ray and his mates at the Manchester United game when we were beaten 1-2 is a revelation – not even this bloke could act out those emotions. As he says: “This ain’t about football…it’s about where I’m from.”
Showman OLAS founder Gary Firminger opening his heart on the final season and giving it large on his ladder, The Ribman telling of his rise to prominence —“I’m the West Ham Ribman and that’s fantastic.”
And then of course the reminiscences of 100 year old Mabel Arnold, still going to games and acting as an example to every armchair fan in the country on what it means to be a REAL Hammer.
But it’s the sights and sounds in and around Green Street that really get yer. Unforgettable moments of our lives recreated … they will never ever go away.
The scenes of that final game are of course unforgettable but the face of that guy trailing out of the stadium is an image of which it is close to impossible to free your mind.
This film is no public relations plug for the film – it gives the views of those who hated to do what the club felt it was forced to do and it’s all the better for it.
I heartily recommend it to you.
IRON MEN is now on DVD from and digital platforms courtesy of Signature Entertainment.
When I wake up with that empty feeling in my stomach after a dire performane by West Ham I generally have a couple of bacon sandwiches and things don’t look so bad!
They always do the trick Michael lol
After well over half a century of supporting us i have long since given up being fed up when we lose.I ride the crest of the wave when we do something good and equally ride out the storm when things are bad.I and we have seen us in a lot worse positions over the years so i really cant get into the stamping of feet tantrums and gnashing of teeth after every defeat.
Beat Leicester next week and fans will be calling for Bilic to be given a longer contract lol
Disagree. I think folk may be starting to realise something they don’t want to be true. He’s a motivational manager but not a tactically astute one. Can’t pick a player. No defined plan of play, certainly not a back up plan or two. Doesn’t want to play youth. Most fans will be put off eventually if that continues.
Last season Master he beat all the top teams, we were 2 wins off top 4 and with luck SB would’ve delivered CL this season. Last season we raved about his attacking tactics and subs. Our youth this season are not good enough to get games at Wigan or Reading.
I’m with Stan, all these people wetting themselves after an away defeat by the odd goal in 5 whilst we still sit in 10th place are pathetic.